Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Yemen: Politics and Government

Jim Shannon: To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the situation in Yemen.

David Rutley: The UK is deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which remains dire despite the truce-like conditions since April 2022. This de facto truce offers the most significant opportunity for peace in Yemen in years. We welcome the conclusion of the Saudi-Houthi talks and the formal launch of the UN-led Roadmap by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on 23 December 2023. This transition to an intra-Yemeni peace process under UN auspices has been reached following years of HMG's diplomatic support.What the Houthis are doing in the Red Sea is unacceptable, illegal and threatening freedom of navigation. Their reckless actions are putting innocent lives at risk, reducing the flow of humanitarian aid to those who need it most in Yemen, threatening the global economy, and destabilising the region.We are using every diplomatic lever at our disposal to pressure the Houthis to desist. It is in all our interests to work together to de-escalate tensions.